Original subtitles

You might as well come out. You're not...

Listen, I hope you're not going to any more trouble

because, uh, [scoffs] this was, uh, just great.

In fact, I haven't been able to get to...

Strike? The police department can't go on strike!

What's gonna happen in this next hour is gonna make

St. Valentine's Day seem like a church picnic.

Grover, you gotta break off all the men you can.

- What's going on? - An invasion.

- Don't shoot! - Don't shoot!

Stop her! She's nuts!

[gunshot]

[theme music]

[instrumental music]

Hefferman: Oh, look at those poor devils.

Claudine: Why are we wasting time thinking about them?

Never hurry the good things of life.

This wine, for instance.

We've been together for ten years...

waiting... for just the proper moment.

How long do you plan on keeping me around?

- What time is it? - [chuckles] You're terrible.

I know I'm gonna be sorry I came.

Eventually.

But... the short haul will be worth it.

Now why would anybody in his right mind

be out on a night like this? It must be pushing zero?

Well, radio said we could have a real storm by midnight.

There is one good thing about cold weather though.

Yeah? I'd like to hear that.

Well, when the temperatures are up,

tempers are up,

and crimes of passion and assault.

But when temperature's down, it's nice and cold,

well, crime rates are down.

People feel more like pulling back, tucking in.

Not me, McCloud.

Right now, I could throttle somebody

for sticking me out here.

To an unforgettable night.

[buzzer buzzes]

Claudine: What is that?

Where are you going?

[dramatic music]

Come on, Jack. Television?

[scoffs] I could destroy your reputation.

Who are they?

What's going on?

What is it?

I wanna report a break-in.

5 East 63rd Street.

They're in the building, so hurry. [slams phone]

Don't turn the lights off.

The burglars won't come in if they know we're here.

That won't stop them.

Woman on radio: Code 10-31. Code 10-31.

5 East 63rd. 5 East 63rd.

Burglary in progress. Burglary in progress.

[siren blaring]

- You know them? - Come on. I'm afraid so.

- We're just gonna try to hide. - What if they--

The police are-- the police are on the way.

Just stay there. Stay there.

- What do they want? - Shh.

[dramatic music]

[gunshot]

Cheney: Hefferman!

Hefferman?

Rucker: Looks like, uh, they're having a party.

McCloud: Door has been forced.

Good wine.

[sighs] Alright.

Hefferman... I'm gonna count to three

and then I'm going to ventilate that door.

One...

two... three.

[gunshots] Don't shoot!

- Don't shoot, please! - Stop!

Claudine: Don't shoot! Please don't!

[screams]

Claudine: Don't! [sobs] - Hold it! Police!

[gunshots]

[Claudine screaming]

[glass shatters]

[Claudine sobbing]

- What do you think? - I think I got one of them.

Let's go.

[Claudine sobbing]

McCloud: Police! Come out of the closet!

- [sobbing] - Oh! Thank God.

- Are you the occupants? - Yes.

Jack Hefferman. This is my house guest Claudine.

I've been shot. I'm gonna die.

I'll get an ambulance.

- [sobbing] - Alright, lady.

[siren blaring]

[reporters clamoring]

Oh, officer. Is she gonna die?

No, she must have been perched in there sideways.

The slug went right through the padding in her bra.

- Just grazed her. - A padded bra?

This whole evening's been a disaster.

- What else has it been? - Who's he?

Captain Clifford, chief of detectives.

A chief for a simple burglary? Things must be dead.

Almost.

Take him downtown.

Wait a minute, wait a minute.

I'm the shootee, not the shooter.

Oh, you wanna play it that way?

Okay.

Pack it up, boys. Nothing's happened here.

- What's going on? - Search me.

Uh, Broadhurst, any sign of the two assailants?

Got away clean, chief.

Whatever they were after, I guess they'll be back.

- Goodnight, Mr. Hefferman. - Wait a minute, captain.

Um, if what you say is right,

why don't you leave a couple of men and, uh, guard the place?

It's snowing out there, Mr. Hefferman.

- It could be bleeding in here. - That's right.

Now do you want to tell us what this is all about?

Tell me, captain, is there such a thing

as, uh, speaking off the record?

Ordinarily, yes. In your case, no.

- Hmm. - You want help? Come with me.

You want what's waiting for you out there?

- Stay put or start running. - Running?

They're probably watching the building.

Hefferman: I'll, uh, come with you on one condition.

Clifford: What's that?

That I go out on a stretcher dead

in the coroner's truck.

Joe, call the coroner. Mr. Hefferman just died.

Alright, I'll admit I'm curious.

What the heck was that all about?

Uh, professional gunmen caught up with Mr. Hefferman.

He knew they were coming

so he wasn't surprised. He's just scared.

How do you know Hefferman knew they were after him?

Well, Joe, that sophisticated electronic surveillance system

[chuckles] was a little bit rich for protecting silverware.

- Why? Why are they after him? - I don't know.

My guess is chief does.

- Congratulations, Peter. - Thanks.

But I haven't done anything yet.

On the contrary, you've done something

that no one else has been able to do.

Get Jack Hefferman into a police station.

- Where is he now? - Making a statement.

I, uh, I'd like to handle this very carefully, Peter.

That goes without saying.

No, no, I mean, I'd like to handle it

so it reflects the greatest light on us.

You know, the department's already taken a beating

over Sam Scarlotti's disappearance.

If it was murder,

I wanna make sure we get some points solving it.

You think Hefferman knows what happened to Scarlotti.

Jack Hefferman was a big boy in the unions.

He made a deal with the federal government

to testify the pension fund scandal.

Then he reneged.

Well, somebody doesn't want him to change his mind again.

[upbeat music]

- We gotta go back. - Go back?

There are cops all over the place.

What-- what are you, some kind of a robot?

What are you, stupid? What happened?

The cops showed up, we bailed out.

What's the problem?

We've gotta go back.

You wanna know what the problem is?

I'll tell you what's the problem.

- This. - Uh, moths.

[chuckles]

They hit me.

[coughs]

They hit me dead center.

Look.

Look.

[sighs] Look, I got hit.

Rucker: Dead center. Cheney: Ah, the bullet.

If it wouldn't be for this piece of gold,

I'm a dead man.

- Give it to me. - Hey, you gotta calm down.

Well, look at the bright side of life.

This is your lucky day. You shouldn't even be here.

[coughing] You,

[coughs] you got a way with words.

Be happy. Smile. You're alive.

- [coughs] - Rucker?

[coughs]

Cheney: Rucker? - [coughs]

Rucker, are you... Rucker?

Well, somebody get a doctor.

Get a doctor, somebody!

[coughs]

Pete, do something uplifting.

Give me a headline that says we broke

the biggest case of the decade.

Yeah, I'd like that too.

Oh, uh, let me know if the feds come snooping around.

We can't stop them,

but at least we can make sure they do things our way.

Uh, commissioner,

there is someone here already.

- Oh? - Hmm.

Out by the window going through the files.

Glasses, brown suit.

His name is R.P. Pearson. Came in this afternoon.

Some kind of efficiency expert from Washington.

- Pearson? - I thought you authorized it.

Now wait a minute.

- What office is he out of? - You got me.

I stopped listening when he said Washington.

Did he mention federal funding?

You know, ever since this, uh, financial scare,

we're dependent on Washington for a lot of money.

That's just what we need. Back office suggestion

from Washington.

Oh, it's unfortunate timing.

If he picks up on this Hefferman assault,

he's liable to pass the word on before we're ready.

Let's keep a lid on the whole thing.

Ah, that won't be easy.

Well, just tell your people to be guarded

whenever they talk to that guy.

That's SOP. Hell, I don't even let them

say anything in front of you.

[chuckles] Keep me posted, Pete.

Bring him upstairs as soon as he's ready for interrogation.

The chief would...

- Hefferman? - No, sir.

I only make personal calls when I'm on duty.

That's alright, Gladys. I'm on the same team.

They're just about ready to bring Hefferman upstairs.

Might be better to find another place

to, uh, deal with him.

Good idea.

Tell them to stand by.

Who is Hefferman and why all the secrecy?

- Nobody's supposed to know. - I'm nobody. Ask anybody.

You're gettin' scary, Gladys. That almost makes sense.

Get the detention center on the line.

Find out if they're holding any prisoners.

Any particular prisoner you're lookin' for?

I'm looking not to find anyone. Just call.

Woman on radio: 14-A21.

I have a car 10-50 at 244 East 57th...

Well, it's, uh, certainly nice to know

that the cold has everybody all tucked in.

[siren blaring]

- Mr. Pearson? - Yes?

Danton: Bob Danton, deputy commissioner.

Oh.

I heard you were giving us the once-over.

I thought I'd better give you a target to get your teeth into.

Oh, uh, my bark is much worse than my bite,

and my, uh, credentials are a lot more ominous

than my mission.

What is your mission?

Well, I, uh, don't like to overstate its importance.

Why don't you just think of me as your messiah?

[laughs]

You're going to save us?

Well, sometimes it takes an outsider

to spot waste or profligacy.

What you're going to spot is a lot of dedication

and charity on the part of our boys.

Well, good. I don't have a great deal of time to spend with you.

I have other departments that need straightening out.

That need straightening out?

Well, in the form of suggestions,

which you will, of course, be free to accept

or disregard as you see fit.

Without affecting our federal funding?

[chuckles] Well, it sounds very democratic.

Let me know if I can be of any help.

Yes, just be sure that the correct doors

are open for me, hmm?

Oh, I've already done that.

Well, it's, uh, nice meeting you, Mr. Pearson.

- Good luck. - Mm-hmm.

Man, am I glad to see you guys.

The victim's in there and he won't come out.

B.B.: [bangs on door] You guys, let me out of here!

Sounds like a herd of buffalo.

- B.B. Murchison. B.B.: You stupid creep!

She give him the works?

From the bottom of his heart to the top of his head,

and he's really in pain. I'm really worried about him.

You know what happened to that guy in the Bronx?

He almost died.

B.B. Murchison.

She wants to avenge every abused,

misused and misunderstood hooker in the world.

[Johnson screaming]

Oh, that poor turkey.

If he's in the same shape as that guy last Tuesday night,

we better get him to a hospital fast.

- We can't get him out? - Can't get him out?

- Mnh-mnh. - Mnh-mnh.

Let me give it a shot. What's his name?

According to the desk, it's Johnson, Arnold A.

from Moline, Illinois.

[knocks] Mr. Johnson?

Johnson: Go away. Get out of here!

I'm sure he wants to go to the hospital on his own.

It could be too late.

Mr. Johnson, you could be in a lot of danger.

Now open the door. All we want to do is help.

Johnson: I don't want to have anything to do with the police!

I'm not a New York cop.

All I wanna do is get you out of here and into a hospital.

[knocks] No questions asked.

B.B.: If you think that this... Johnson: Who are you?

My name is Sam McCloud. I'm from Taos, New Mexico.

Johnson: You get rid of everybody else.

B.B.: Worm, you hear me?

You fellows mind waiting out in the hall?

- No. - Sure.

I think I better stay with you, McCloud.

I've already given the word, Joe.

Why don't you help Rizzo get B.B. out of here?

B.B.: [bangs on door] I know it's my right...

You can't do this to me!

That little trick's gonna cost you boys in court.

And that little trick in the next room

is gonna cost you, B.B.

You're gonna get him to press charges?

You can't even get him out of the toilet.

Okay, Mr. Johnson. I got the room cleared.

Open the door. Come on out.

Mr. Johnson, you might as well come out.

You're not...

[dramatic music]

[sobbing]

Oh, stupid, stupid, stupid.

If my family finds out about this...

Will they? Do they have to?

Well, I suppose if we can get that blue paint off of you,

there's a chance that nobody will find out.

[sobs] Thanks.

[intercom buzzes]

Yeah.

You know that guy you're not lookin' for

in the cell block?

Yeah?

- Well, he isn't there. - Good.

Uh, tell Polk and Simms to take Hefferman to the cell block.

I'll be right there.

Oh, uh, Gladys, pass the word. Top priority.

No one is to say anything about anything

to that federal guy Pearson.

Nobody's said anything to him already.

- Well, that goes double now. - Got you.

Nobody says anything to him again... double.

- Right. - Right.

- He's in serious shape. - What about talking to him?

A few minutes, but I don't think it will do any good.

He'll never admit what happened.

You've been through this before?

A thousand variations.

This baby blue paint kook is just the latest one,

but she is dangerous.

The human body needs to release heat through the skin

just as vitally as it needs oxygen through the lungs.

You cover the man's body with paint,

you might as well cut his throat.

All I need is one victim to press charges.

Marshal, you're gonna have a tough time getting anybody

to stand up in court and admit this like it happened.

Mr. Johnson, Marshal McCloud would like to talk to you.

- Not too long, marshal. - Thank you.

They tell my wife?

Well, I understand that she's on her way over here.

I didn't realize that she was with you here in New York.

First time I brought her.

She's paintin' the town.

Bad joke.

Well, Mr. Johnson, you know, uh, [chuckles]

the doctors can just hold back for so long.

Your wife's gotta be told.

I know.

Why, what a jerk.

You know what happened?

Well, I suppose she slipped something

in your drink and then...

No, no, no, no.

I don't mean her. I mean, with my wife.

We decided that we were gonna do the things

that we always wanted to do the most.

That was our agreement.

A selfish treat. Anything we wanted.

So tonight she went to the ballet.

I hate the ballet.

She went alone.

- Thought it was a great idea. - Yeah.

Uh...

did your wife know the kind of, uh...

treat that you had in mind?

Not exactly.

The details she didn't know.

Well, how much did she know?

I was taking a client to a hockey game.

Yeah, well, you, uh,

you did leave out a couple of points there.

[sighs] You don't know her, marshal.

She's a strong woman.

- I mean, she's strong. - Well, that's good.

Maybe that will get her through this.

No, I don't mean strong that way.

I mean, she's tough.

She can get awful angry about this.

You mean do you bodily harm?

She was in the service, Air Force.

I mean, she's a hell of a shot.

[door opens]

Yeah, uh, now, look, Mr. Johnson,

I gotta go, but...

I'll do what I can to square this with your wife.

Yeah, thank you, marshal, I...

I sure hate to stick you with this.

Oh, it's gonna be a messy job.

Goes with the territory.

I'll do what I can for you.

Johnson: Marshal? - Yeah.

There's one more thing I haven't told you

that might make my wife awful sore.

Yeah.

Reason she came along on this business trip.

Yeah?

It's our second honeymoon.

Yeah.

[dramatic music]

Well, you run a very uncomfortable ship, captain.

I wouldn't exactly call this first-class.

Perhaps you should think of it more as a lifeboat.

Anyway, I appreciate the ride through town.

Now I'd like to be on my way.

He serious?

[chuckles] We had a good laugh about that ourselves.

I wouldn't mind getting home early.

Would you mind coming back at 4:00 in the morning

to scrape him off the sidewalk?

I can take care of myself.

I'll be on the first plane out of Kennedy.

- You'll never get to Kennedy. - They think I'm dead.

Right now, they'll be checking the morgue.

When they find you aren't there, they'll do more checking.

By the time your plane comes in for a landing,

you'll get the welcome of a lifetime.

A 21-gun salute.

You wanna go on living? You like to breathe?

I wouldn't bet you...

this burned down cigar against a million dollars

that you'll make it past tomorrow unless...

you make a deal with us and spill your guts.

What is it everyone thinks I know?

I was a union employee.

You were a union executive

with both feet in the slush fund.

How much is in there? Billions?

I had no control over the pension fund.

You just doled it out where they told you, huh?

I can't see where that's New York City's problem.

- It didn't happen here. - Murder did.

Or did you fellas find the president

you, uh, misplaced?

Captain, I was an attorney for the union.

What would I know about that?

Scarlotti came to town to see you,

and he hasn't been heard from since.

I don't know anything about that.

Then why do they want you dead?

Mrs. Johnson: Where is he? Where is my Benny?

Where is he? I want to see him!

What's happened to my Benny?

- A-- are you Mrs. Johnson? - Yes.

- You're the doctor? - No, I'm the doctor.

This is, um...

I'm the fellow that brought your husband in.

But why? What happened?

Oh, not his heart?

Oh, God. Don't let it be his heart.

No, it's not, ma'am. It's a-- it's a case of skin poisoning.

Oh! Oh, thank God.

Skin poisoning?

Well, I've-- I've-- I've heard of food poisoning,

but I don't...

You mean, uh, uh, like poison ivy?

It's paint.

Paint?

Well, where would he get paint at a hockey game?

I've got to see him.

Mrs. Johnson...

I can honestly say he wouldn't be up to it.

Now I'd recommend, for his health,

to let him rest until morning.

It'd be better for his health, alright.

Well...

if you think so.

Oh, but-- but we're both all alone in New York.

He'll be so worried about me.

Well, he's worried about you, alright,

Mrs. Johnson, but, uh...

Well, I assured him that I'd look after you.

Be willing to take you back to your hotel

and drop you off, if you like.

Oh. Thank you.

And the business office would like you to stop by

before you leave, Mrs. Johnson. Give them a little information.

I'll, uh, go there right now.

Paint!

Leave it to Benny to get paint poisoning.

Look, one more thing.

If you can't get Johnson to testify against this woman,

this, uh, this kook who's goin' around painting

the out-of-towners blue, I got one suggestion

that just might help you.

What's that?

Get her to switch

to a water-based paint.

New York.

It's our second honeymoon.

I believe in keeping romance alive.

Don't you, marshal?

Well, there's nothing like a little stoking

to get a fresh fire out of an old log.

[indistinct police radio chatter]

That's very poetic.

Reveals a lot of your character.

Honest, forthright, down to earth.

What happened to Benny?

[indistinct police radio chatter]

Mrs. Johnson: You're keeping something from me.

Fill me in, McCloud, now.

The longer you take, the more suspicious I get.

You want the whole thing straight out. No frills?

There's nothing anybody could tell me

that could shock me.

I was in the military for 12 years.

Now, what did this sordid city

do to my Benny?

- Painted him blue. - Painted him blue?

That's right. From head to toe, every inch of skin on him.

What was this gang? Black? Puerto Rican?

She was Caucasian.

Middle-class hoodlums. A lark.

She?

Alright, McCloud, enough.

I'm not gonna pry this out of you one cornflake at a time.

What happened to Benny?

He contacted a call girl, paid her for her services,

after which she slipped him a mickey

and began to paint him from head to toe

from an aerosol can of blue lacquer paint

called Midnight Lagoon.

[dramatic music]

This is a great honor...

Mr. Constantine.

What happened?

Hefferman knew we were coming.

Hefferman don't shoot it out with nobody.

And he called the cops.

You gave him time to call the cops?

What kind of operation you're running? What'd you do?

Walk up and ring the doorbell?

Oh, no. He had some kind of surveillance system

all over the place. Cameras, like in a bank.

Cameras break.

Yeah, I know, but it wouldn't have made any difference.

He was sealed up like in a vault.

I figured I'd wait for him to come out,

but he don't come out.

Can you believe this?

Two of them can't hit Hefferman

who's an old lady.

Uh, no. I think we got him.

You think you got him? What does that mean?

Well, I mean, there were cops all over the place

so, uh, you know, I-- I-- I went back.

Checkin' out.

They took him out on a stretcher

right to the coroner's car.

I'm pretty sure it was Hefferman.

I can't be positive. I-- I didn't see.

You know, I couldn't get close.

Find out.

Now what about your partner, uh, Rucker?

I understand he took a slug. Where is he?

They're gonna trace him to the hit?

No, no, he's in the hospital.

Not a mark on him. Maybe a broken rib.

Oh, get this. A cop's slug hits him

on this religious medallion he wears. [chuckles]

Who says God isn't on our side?

Okay, dummy, get Rucker out of that hospital.

Broken ribs he can mend in Miami.

This is McCloud here.

I'd like to talk to Sgt. Broadhurst.

Woman 1: Standby. I'll patch you through.

Joe: Yeah, McCloud.

Joe, uh, Mr. Johnson's in, uh, he's in pretty bad shape.

I'm gonna try and get him to confess.

- Forget it. - No, no. I think I can do it.

And that B.B. Murchison, something's gotta be done

with her. She's gonna kill somebody.

Yeah, could be, but the watch commander

made me turn her loose.

Oh, come on. After what she did?

McCloud, I'm late for a meeting. You want B .B., you book her.

I can't afford her on my record.

Alright, I will. Where does she live?

Joe: 515 West 58th Street.

515 West 58th Street. Right.

Yeah. The landlady will tell you which apartment.

But, McCloud, I'm warning you, it's cold out.

If you wind up the night turning blue, don't come to me.

Yeah.

McCloud's gonna try and book B.B. Murchison.

Oh, I hope I'm still here.

Could be the match of the century.

- Oh, I'm late, I'm going down. - I know where you're going.

- I don't wanna hear about it. - Hey, it affects all of us.

Policemen have just as much right to be organized

as anybody else.

Not when you work for Chief Clifford.

You haven't said anything to the chief?

I don't wanna be the one to tell him.

You know what they say about messengers

bearing bad news.

Off with their heads.

Where's he buried, Jack? Where's Scarlotti?

What's the deal?

You'll get a new name, rank and serial number.

The feds will start you off on a brand-new life.

It's not my idea of justice,

but maybe it's worth it to nail your ex-pals.

What's in it for you? The feds will take the bow.

Yes, but it's nice to have a crack at real criminals.

Police departments don't get much chance at them.

- Real criminals? - Hmm.

The guys that operate above the law.

Guys like you who supposedly represent

every working stiff in the country

and that pension they're waiting for.

How many billions have been borrowed illegally

from those funds by gangsters?

[scoffs] Well, the money you misappropriate every year

would make Jesse James look like an evangelist,

and the law can't touch you.

Nobody starts out to be crooked.

It just happens.

Anyway, you're not making me feel very secure.

How do I know you won't turn me over

once I've given you what you want?

If I guarantee your safety, you'll be safe.

But don't make me beg. My heart isn't in it.

If I walk out of here, you're on your own.

Hey, alright, alright. Listen up, everybody.

The bulk of the shift that could be here is.

That's good. Real good. Means we're together on this.

Yeah. Let's not confuse interest with support.

Some of us are here to find out what you have to offer.

What, are you kiddin'? Where you been? In hibernation?

The city just turned down our pay boost

after it was agreed to by impartial arbitration.

Now I don't know how you guys see that,

but the committee has to take that as a kick in the butt.

- Right, right. - Absolutely.

The city said no because the city is broke.

Hey, they're givin' away

a billion dollars a month to deadbeats on welfare

while we're pulling 12-hour shifts

gettin' guns stuck up our noses.

Now what do we gotta do to educate guys like you?

You been around longer than Methuselah.

Yeah, but they take in detectives' pay

which ain't quite the same as us poor slobs.

- Absolutely. Joe: Hey, now wait a minute.

Wait a minute. This is supposed to be a meeting, not a brawl.

Let's not forget we're all on the same force

working toward the same end, a fair deal.

Maybe we are and maybe we aren't.

Workin' towards the same end, I mean.

When we walk, if we walk,

it's liable to be the men against the supervisors.

And that's usually sergeants on up.

What is this talk about walking?

Cops don't walk, not in this city.

You keep talkin', pops.

That's just what the brass is countin' on.

Anything I say here is my opinion.

The opinion of a cop with 30 years.

Sure, I wouldn't wanna fool around

with my pension if I was you either.

But a lot of us here have got a lot more years to go

and a lot more bullets to duck to get to our pensions.

We just wanna make sure it's worth it.

Well, I guess that's the difference.

I didn't join the department to get rich.

- Oh, get out of here! - Just walk out!

- Grover! Grover! - That's it. Walk away!

[knocks]

You're right on ti...

[dramatic music]

What... You... No, put me down, you crazy...

[indistinct shouting]

B.B.: I'm gonna freeze to death, you dumb yokel.

They'll kick you so far off the force

you'll need a passport.

Well, the beauty of it is I ain't on the force, ma'am.

You're tellin' me.

Alright, if I tell you where Scarlotti is buried,

what next?

Twenty-four-hour guard from now

until the time his depositions are taken

and the feds take over.

He doesn't even spit without police escort

to and from this cell.

This place is a jail, a cage. Couldn't you, uh,

put me up in a hotel with a couple of guards?

No, no, too much chance

of their spotting you between here and the hotel

and we'd have to watch every bite of food

and every window. Come on, Jack.

For once in your life, rough up for a couple of hours.

Tomorrow night at this time, you'll be on your way.

I'm not even dressed right. I'm freezing.

I'm freezing. Don't you have any, uh, heat in this place?

Well, you heard of conservation?

- No. - We'll make you comfortable.

Get him one of those portable heaters.

And you tell the officers what you want

in the way of food and clothing.

You're our number one guest and we're here to serve you.

We want you comfy.

Well, you heard the man.

I guess I'm here for the next 24 hours

and I'm hungry. What do we do about that?

We can send for some food right down the street.

Oh, good, as long as you're sending out,

you've heard about the, uh,

Oyster Bar down at the Plaza Hotel.

Your order, monsieur?

I'd, uh, like a double order of, uh, oysters Rockefeller

some vichyssoise, and a half a bottle of cabernet.

Anything else, sir?

Hefferman: Ask the captain. He'll know.

- Hey, go and book her. - What's the charge?

Indecent exposure.

- Hi, McCloud. Where you been? - Hospital.

You know where Chief Clifford is? I wanna talk to him.

You have to ask her.

- Where's Chief Clifford? - I can't tell ya.

- Why not? - I've said too much already.

You haven't said anything yet.

- McCloud, it's for you. - Thank you.

- Yeah, McCloud. - Hello, marshal.

I think you better get back over here right away.

Does this have to do with Mr. Johnson?

Well, I'm not where I can really discuss it right now,

but I think you should hurry.

Yeah, I'll be right there.

Look, I gotta go, but when I get back,

you and me gonna have it out.

Now you talkin'.

Wait a minute, McCloud, where are you goin'?

McCloud: Hospital. - You just left the hospital.

I've seen it happen a hundred times.

When them big dudes start to fall apart...

He looked great to me.

Haven't you ever wondered why he never takes that coat off?

It's like my girdle.

When that comes off, it's every part for itself.

Oh, excuse me.

Uh, e-- excuse me.

That man who just walked out of here?

- The one in the odd hat. - Odd hat?

Well, you must have noticed him. He was talking to you.

I've seen him in and out of here several times today.

- Who is he? - McCloud. Sam McCloud.

He's on special duty here for New Mexico.

Special duty? What does he do?

Well, you'd have to ask Chief Clifford about that.

Well, you work for Clifford.

You must know why the man's here.

I don't think Chief Clifford even knows that.

You know, one might get the impression

that Chief Clifford told you not to cooperate with me.

It's amazing how much trouble you can get in

just keeping your mouth shut.

Man 1: The attendant found it on the gurney

as they were putting it back in the ambulance.

Now am I wrong or is that a bullet?

No, that's a bullet, alright.

[scoffs] Oh, it's a big one.

A guy collpasin' in a bar,

we don't report that to the police,

but a bullet wound, that's somethin' else again.

Well, tell me about the fella you brought in.

His name is Daniel Rucker.

He doubled up over on 2nd Avenue.

Spit up a little blood. His X-rays revealed

he had a badly bruised sternum and a couple of cracked ribs.

- He give you a story? - He hasn't been able to yet.

But it's the other guy I thought you might be interested in.

- You're Mr. Smith. - Right.

I came here to pick up my friend.

I'm afraid that's out of the question.

Why? What's the matter with him?

Uh, do you know where he was this evening?

Was he in some sort of trouble somewhere?

No, not...

- I was with him all evening. - Ah.

Well, he's got, uh, couple of broken ribs

and some internal bleeding.

We're gonna have to hold him here

until the police can talk to him.

Police? Why? I don't understand.

Well, that's strictly routine, Mr. Smith.

You see, there's, uh, a couple of fights

and a mugging over on 3rd Avenue tonight.

Since we can't explain Mr. Rucker's injuries,

we gotta take a photograph of him,

show it to the victims to make sure

that he wasn't involved.

Who the hell are you? Who's he?

McCloud: I'm on special assignment here in New York City

from Taos, New Mexico.

Special assignment?

[chuckles] I mean, what's special about this?

My friend fell over in a bar

and there are a dozen, uh, people who saw it.

Uh-huh. You sure that, uh, you fellas

didn't exchange a punch or two there?

Hmm?

You know that can happen even amongst best friends.

Yeah, you're right. This-- this is no time to kid around.

[chuckles]

- It's no crime, right? - No.

And besides, he can't get mad 'cause he started it.

He's stupid, you know.

But he didn't mean anything, you know--

- You hit him? - No, no, no, he hit this guy.

The other guy... hit him.

I got Chuck out of this, so this thing wouldn't go too far.

I bring him over to a bar to get a drink, you know, to unwind.

He got sick.

This guy, uh, must have hit him harder than I figured.

- He was a big guy. Big, big. - Alright.

Well, I tell you, why don't you just, uh

let me have some identification

and we'll chalk this all up to the cold weather?

Sometimes that stirs people up.

Yeah, the cold weather get tempers a-flarin'.

Oh. [chuckles] Of course, I ain't got...

[chuckles] I don't have my wallet.

He had to buy the drinks. How about that?

[laughs] I bring him to a bar to cool off

and I stick him with the check. [laughs]

[laughs]

Well, I guess it just wasn't his night, huh?

Yeah, that's right.

- How do I reach you? - Reach me?

Yeah, when your friend gets well and we want to release him,

we wanna know how to contact you.

- 5-5-5... - 5-5-5...

- 1-7-8-2. - 1-7-8-2.

You can expect to hear from us.

Doctor, my friend Chuck,

do you think I could see him tonight?

Oh, that's out of the question, you see.

He's in isolation, Mr. Smith.

- Isolation? - That's right.

Isolation.

- Oh, uh... McCloud: Hmm.

Thanks a lot.

Well, how did I do?

You're practically on the force now.

Now what? Because, you see, I can't really

hold Rucker against his will.

Well, I can. Just put him in security ward

and let me know when I can see him.

Mm-hmm. Now there isn't any way possible

you might be able to tell me what's goin' on here, is there?

- Nope. - Now, do you know?

Maybe. Thanks for your help.

[scoffs]

Yeah.

Yeah, alright, get over here.

Yeah, right now. Tonight!

Knucklehead, where'd you find those two clowns?

They came highly recommended by Harmon.

Yeah, well, have Harmon put to sleep.

He must be lookin' to do me in.

What happened?

The cops are checkin' Rucker out.

They won't let him out of the hospital.

Mr. Constantine, um...

while you were on the phone, Sam called.

Yeah?

- Uh-- - Yeah, what?

I think Hefferman's alive. The cops have him.

[dramatic music]

The cops got Hefferman? Where? How?

Sam spread a few dollars around and he found out that

the coroner's car was used to get him out of t-- the apartment

and then they delivered him to the morgue and...

Well, then a police car picked him up from there.

Find him. And I don't mean tomorrow.

I mean, find him tonight! That man can do us all in.

- I want him dead! - Yes, sir.

[humming]

Get me Commissioner Danton, will you?

Was he singing?

Was he drinking is more like it.

Excuse me, can I help you, sir? Wait just a minute, Mr. P...

May I have a word with you, chief?

Aren't you working rather long hour?

Well, time is money and so is racial balance.

Come again.

I've been going over your duty rosters.

First of all, I think you know that in order to receive

federal funding, your roster must have a balance

of races commensurate with the community.

- That's a law? - No deviations.

You mean, if a neighborhood has 40% Chinese,

then we'd have to have 40% Chinese on the force?

- Exactly. - You're sure about that?

- No exceptions? - No exceptions.

Very well. Come with me.

Chief, uh, where will you be

if something comes up on that you-know-what case?

Pearson and I are going to drop in on the union meeting

the men are holding.

He wasn't supposed to know anything about that.

It's a secret.

And don't tell them I'm coming.

Pardon me.

- Uh, where is everybody? - They're all d...

Who wants to know?

Oh, well, I'm just over here from the 14th on loan out.

I'm supposed to do some paperwork.

Do you have anything on this Hefferman thing

over on East 63rd?

I don't know. Check dispatch.

They can give you a base number to follow up on.

- Uh, where is it? - Oh, second floor.

- Thank you. - Sure.

Did he, uh, ask you about Hefferman?

- Yeah. Cute, wasn't he? - A real darling.

- What's his name? - Wilder.

Now you've turned all our legitimate gripes into a forum

for getting rid of political interest frustration.

Now a strike vote has nothing to do

with welfare states or people on the dole--

Hey, if we could all take our seats,

we could vote on this strike.

Now we gotta have the strike tally in by midnight.

So if everybody would...

[indistinct shouting]

[silence]

Now, now, don't let me disrupt things.

Uh, always glad to see you, Chief Clifford.

Uh, the men of the swing shift were just gettin' together

to talk a few things over before goin' on duty.

Good.

I have someone with me I'd like you,

ladies and gentlemen, to meet.

This is Mr. Pearson from Washington.

[cheering]

Not from the Arbitration Board by chance?

Washington did alright by us. Better than the city.

No, no. Mr. Pearson wasn't with the Arbitration Board.

Actually, he's here to tell us that we have to, uh,

rebalance our manpower on a racial basis.

Right?

Well, that's just a, uh, minor part of my mission.

Clifford: Not at all. Now according to you,

we have to hire and fire personnel

on the basis of a racial mixture

commensurate with the community.

Now the mix in this community is approximately 67% white,

29% black, and the rest of varying Hispanic groups.

Uh, may I see that duty roster?

Thank you.

Uh...

I'm afraid this isn't good.

Now it's quite obvious that, uh, on direct orders of Mr. Pearson,

we're going to have to get rid of...

eleven blacks and two Puerto Ricans from the squad.

[indistinct grumbling]

Right?

- Well, uh-- - You said no exceptions.

The, uh, regulations are quite explicit.

Clifford: Fine, I'll, uh, I'll have the, uh, order

for dismissal drawn up and ask you to sign it.

Oh, and I'll also ask you to handle the method

in which these people are to be dismissed.

Chief Clifford, uh, this is... quite awkward.

Oh, now, Mr. Pearson,

that's only because you're used to issuing regulations.

Following them, ha-ha, that's the challenge.

[chuckles] Well, I'm sure these men and ladies

will have a few questions, so I'll just leave you

to, uh, talk it over with them.

Well, uh...

I, uh, welcome, uh, this opportunity...

uh, to-- to answer any questions.

Which may have about, uh, the, uh,

various federal programs that we are trying to integrate.

Um, assimilate

into the, uh, New York Police Department.

So, uh, feel free to, uh, fire away.

[cocks gun]

That, of course, was a figure of speech. [laughs]

There aren't too many guys in the locker room

with your size.

I scrounged what I could.

Well, now that I think about it,

I'm quite comfortable in my pajamas.

It's the best I could do.

The chief did say though to make me comfy.

I can't lie in that bed.

Is something wrong with this bed?

I require a special mattress.

I've got a bad back.

Tennis, you know, reaching for the long ones.

You want an orthopedic mattress

on the cell block at this time of night?

Oh, no, no, no, no, I wouldn't think of putting you

through that trouble, but a nice chair would help.

I'd like to do some reading.

It's a little dark in here for reading.

Yes.

Perhaps a-- a nice floor lamp would help.

I don't suppose you have anything to read.

Well, there's a bookstore

right down by the Plaza open all night.

Uh, I'll give you a couple of selections I haven't read.

Hard cover or soft cover?

Oh, it doesn't make any difference.

I wouldn't wanna put you to any trouble.

[sighs]

Well, if there are no questions,

um, I'd better be getting back to work.

It's, uh,

been nice chatting with you men...

ladies.

And, uh...

keep up the good work.

Okay, okay. That's just another example

of management stupidity.

Now every precinct in this city

is taking a strike vote right this minute.

So let's get on ours.

Hey, we still have to talk it out.

Look, we've done nothin' but talk.

Now I wanna see a...

I wanna see a show of hands right this minute.

- He's here. Constantine: Where?

Downstairs. They're hiding him in the detention area.

I'd like to see that creep in jail,

but I'd rather see him dead.

- Here? - Yeah. There.

[sighs]

I'll check him out if I can get close enough.

But I don't like one-way missions.

You check out the setup, then tell me

how many men you need and you got it.

I'm tellin' you, this is their home base.

It's not gonna be easy even getting in that tank.

Don't jack me up. You want more money?

Lay it on the line. I don't play games.

I'll let you know.

- Hey, McCloud, get over here! - What's the trouble?

You ain't sticking me with a false arrest charge.

Now you've had B.B. sitting in there

on her duff for over two hours.

The way she figures it, you've cost her $200 in lost revenue

and she's threatening to sue the city.

Well, she assaulted a man.

It's her sixth one in the last month.

I want to get her off the streets.

Fine, take her home with ya,

but get her out of my tank.

And especially half naked like that.

This place has a certain reputation,

you know what I mean? Not to mention,

my wife is comin' over with my lunch in an hour.

I'll get her some clothes, alright?

That satisfy you? I'll get her some clothes.

Man 2: Then book her or get her out of here!

One way or the other, McCloud!

Gladys, I hate to take the shirt

off your back, but you heard the sergeant--

Forget it, we ain't the same size

and my husband's comin' to pick me up after work

and I don't want him pickin' up no B.B. Murchison by mistake.

McCloud, I got a spare tunic in my locker

and maybe a pair of jeans.

Hey, Marylou, you're a doll.

Now how can I make this up to you, hmm?

I'll think of somethin'.

Chief Clifford still out?

No, he's here, but he's in a meeting.

- I'll tell him you want him. - And tell him it's important.

It's always important the way you tell it.

I have done battle with the best of them, chief.

Believe me when I tell you you make a grave tactical error

when you underestimate my authority.

[knock on door] Come in.

Sorry to interrupt, chief, but it's about our problem

down in the cell block.

Problem?

[whispers]

No.

I could go up to the commissioner's office.

He won't be in till morning.

No, no, no, no. Take mine.

I don't wanna complicate this thing any more

than it already is.

One of our, uh, prisoners has a bad back.

He needs a lamp too.

- Take mine. - Excuse me.

Hmm.

Uh, you provide this kind of service

for all your prisoners?

Oh, it's a little hard to explain.

Yes, well, I have nothing but time.

Just who is it that deserves that kind of special attention?

Well, it's, uh, no one really.

Uh, no one special.

You mean this is standard procedure?

Mr. Pearson, I don't intend to discuss this with you.

Not now at any rate.

We have our methods in New York.

You federal people have yours.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have some phone calls to make.

Yeah, well, that Pearson's lucky he ain't dead.

Hey, he's not out of the building yet.

Yeah, that's true. Well, if you have to have a homicide

in this kind of weather, better it should happen

in a police station.

Pardon me, can you tell me where I could find Officer Murphy?

Murphy. Eh, the blond kid over by the drinking fountain.

Thank you.

- Hey, Murphy. - Yeah?

I'm from the 14th on temporary assignment.

My instructions are to send you over to the detective squad

to help out on some big deal.

No kidding. Why me?

You're asking me? I should be so lucky.

Hey, listen, I'll pull it for you if you want me to.

No, no. Uh, what do I do?

Where do I go? Uh, do I check out first?

It's all taken care of. Follow me.

[dramatic music]

You wanna give me a hand with some of this stuff?

Hey, right over here.

What'd you want me to help you with?

There's nothin' here. Hey, what...

[muffled gunshot]

Get rid of him.

Where do you want me to dump him?

What do I care? I'm not a garbage man.

Just go. I got work to do.

And don't mess up my car.

I'm responsible for it back at the 14th.

Yeah, fantastic.

What about the 22nd?

Then that's it. [laughs] That's really it.

We got it. Right, right.

Midnight it is.

It's a majority. We walk.

I don't believe it. You know what you're doing.

- We're shorthanded as it is. - Hey, it's out of my hands.

We voted. The guys think they've been abused.

- They gotta take a stand. - Ah.

[scoffs] Where do you stand, Joe, huh?

Are you gonna fink out on us?

Hey, what are you talkin' about finkin' out?

I'm a sergeant. We're considered middle management.

What are you talkin' about? Sergeants are in no man's land.

They ain't management to management

and they ain't one of the boys to the boys.

What you gonna do, huh?

I'll let you know.

Look, pass the word around the building.

We move out of here at 12:00.

- I'm relief. - What happened to Murph?

Uh, cold got him. Uh, what do we got?

Nothin'. Place is empty.

Uh, don't go back there.

You said it was empty.

For you, the place is empty, okay?

Where's my dinner? The service around here is lousy.

Well, in case you didn't know it,

there's a blizzard goin' on out there.

In case you don't know, it's not exactly the Sahara in here.

Go check on his din-din.

Hey, I'm used to a great deal more courtesy

and some evidence of financial competence.

For instance, in your last fiscal report,

there is...

Police departments all over the country

have gone to the single man patrol car

cutting manpower requirements nearly in half.

You won't even discuss it.

Now Chicago maintains a department--

Open up.

Just as much manpower as New York

for one-third of the cost.

I'm not finished talking. Open this door.

You do and I'll put you out on Broadway barefoot.

I'm a representative of the federal government.

Are you gonna do as I tell you?

I'm sorry, sir.

Food for the prisoner. No weapons.

Oysters Rockefeller, cabernet wine and some--

Hold it! Wait a minute!

Oysters Rockefeller.

Vichyssoise.

Cabernet sauvignon. Who the hell is this for?

For the prisoner. Come on, let me have it.

Mad as hell 'cause it took so long.

Who you got back there? King George?

I don't know, sir.

You're in charge and you don't know, hmm?

Sir, I-- I'm new--

Look, I've had it with this silence treatment.

Now the next officer I talk to that doesn't open up

is gonna find himself with the shortest career

in police history.

And you can tell Chief Clifford that, uh...

I'll be in his office waiting for him.

Here, read this and then sign it.

Up your nose.

Okay, Joe.

Are you with management or labor?

Somebody's gotta stay with the ship.

Okay. Let's move it, everybody. We're on strike!

Man 3: Let's go. - Hey, wait a minute.

Hey.

They're really goin' out, Joe?

Yeah, everybody's goin' home mad.

This is crazy.

Well, maybe it isn't so crazy,

but it could get a little scary.

If everybody's goin' out, scary doesn't begin to cover it.

- You know where the chief is? - He's disappeared.

I haven't been able to find him in over an hour.

I think it has something to do with that guy Hefferman.

Well, do you know where they got him?

No.

Well, I've got to find the chief.

I've got information that he needs.

And I've got some he doesn't need.

You stay put.

You take one step away from that desk

and I'm gonna have a fugitive warrant out on you

and that's a shootin' offence.

Sergeant, watch her!

Where is everybody?

Gone. They're out on strike.

Strike?

- Well, who's in charge? - Not me.

Listen, it's time we talked.

I gotta go to the bathroom.

[dramatic music]

You.

- Me? - Don't try to get away from me.

I ain't goin' nowhere.

Very sensible.

Maybe there's some hope for you.

Which is more than I can say for the rest of your crew.

Hey, no kiddin', who's here? Angie? Fern?

Who's Angie and Fern?

No, you don't.

Come on, I've been there.

What are you? New?

I'm from out of town, yeah.

How'd you know?

I meet a lot of johns from out of town.

- Fred. - Whatever.

I was, um,

hoping that we could find some, uh...

common ground.

You scratch my back...

I scratch yours.

- You can help me? - You'd be surprised.

- What'd you have in mind? - [chuckles]

I see I've come to the right girl.

I was beginning to think that everyone around here

was afraid of me.

Should I be afraid?

I guarantee my bark is worse than my bite.

What's that mean... exactly?

I need you.

How long you say you've been away from home?

Two days. How is that important?

Well, it-- it helps to know how long it's been.

Oh.

You ain't into whips or anything?

Whips?

Who uses whips?

You've seen whips used here

at the New York City Police Department?

I thought that went out with the third-degree.

Are you kiddin'? I could tell you stories.

Hey, is that your thing? You're a listener.

I'm all ears.

That's a shame.

Let's get down to business.

When?

Now.

Where?

Here.

Here? You crazy?

Of course, of course, you're right.

Maybe we can go somewhere and-- and finish this, huh?

Just like that?

I can cover you.

Washington has given me carte blanche.

- Hmm? - I don't take credit cards.

[chuckles]

Federal officials have been notified that you're here

and that you're making a formal statement.

You'll be turned over to them when we're satisfied

that you're telling the truth in its entirety.

I'm not sure that I know the truth in its entirety.

You know enough to get yourself killed.

You know what happened to Scarlotti.

Hefferman: Yes, I know what happened to him.

Hefferman: He's dead. Clifford: Yes.

Clifford: He came here to meet with you?

Hefferman: That was the stated reason.

The real reason is that there was a...

great struggle going inside the union.

There was money. Much, too much money.

Like millions of people walking by every day

pouring in little bit of each paycheck in a big pot.

The temptation to reach down and scoop up a handful

was overwhelming.

It could have corrupted almost anyone.

Somebody wanted reforms.

There was no such thing.

Everybody wanted that pot of gold

so they could give the private loans to their own friends.

And where did you fit into this candy store?

I pulled on a good salary as inside attorney.

Oh, I suppose I wouldn't have made

as much money on the outside,

but at least I didn't line my own pockets.

But I did turn my own back

when some of the loan applications

had the return address of federal penitentiaries.

For the trouble I'm in, I should have reached

in that pot myself and gone for the killing.

Maybe you did.

Hmm.

Simms, I want a stenographer down here

to take the formal statement.

I'll get the city attorney over here to witness it.

Polk, you keep security tight.

The more people we get in here, the tougher it will be.

What's the timetable?

Well, let's aim for a countdown of, say, 2:00 a.m.

Open up!

Chief, we've been looking all over for ya.

What are the two of you doing here?

Oh, I got something important to talk over with you

on this Hefferman thing.

Well, what's that?

I got one of his gunmen

under lock and key, I think.

- Really? Where? - Bellevue.

Seems like one of my slugs hit him after all.

Look at that.

I haven't got anything official from ballistics,

but I know a .45 slug when I see one

and there's not many sidearms like mine in New York City.

It's good piece of work. Let's get on it.

That, uh, collar says the 14th.

- You just transfer in? - They sent me over, sir.

Told me to fill in wherever as needed.

Who said to fill in?

Joe: Uh, chief, I think I can explain

how that must have happened.

You see, we're gonna be very shorthanded for a while.

We're not gonna be shorthanded.

I'm gonna get extra men in here till we get, uh,

him processed out of here.

Now, Broadhurst, I'm putting you in charge of the cell block.

I want all the experience I can get.

Nothing personal. I'll find something for you upstairs.

[scoffs] You'll have no trouble finding work for him

in the squad room, chief. At midnight--

Joe, I don't have time to talk now.

I gotta get the city attorney over here.

Now you guard this cell block with your life.

I wanna hear everything you've got on this gunman, McCloud.

- Right. - You, now come along.

Well...

Too many things can happen to a man in the hospital.

If that gunman's in any condition to be moved,

I want him brought over here.

Now take a couple of our best men,

get over to the hospital right a...

Where the hell is everybody?

- I-- - On strike.

Strike? That was just a negotiating ploy!

The police department can't go on strike!

Hey, Grover, where's B.B. Murchison?

I left her sittin' in the chair there.

Grover: Search me. - Gladys.

Seems to me I saw her with that federal fella Pearson.

McCloud, we don't have time to worry

about an 8th Avenue hooker.

We've got a disaster on our hands.

Now get on that phone to the hospital.

Gladys, call in the reserves. I want a full squad here.

We don't get some manpower around here,

we could be sitting ducks.

Does the news media know about this walkout?

Oh, you gotta be kidding, chief. Every TV station in town

was on the front door when the men walked out.

Then we're not the only ones that know we're underpowered.

Grover, get the officers over here from the precincts.

- Gladys-- - I'm calling.

But you got about as much chance

as a snowball in hell getting reserves

to cross a police picket line.

There won't be any pickets at this time of night

in this kind of weather.

Grover: That's another thing, chief.

The weather hasn't let up since 6 o'clock this morning.

Traffic's tied up all over town.

I doubt if any of the precincts--

- Call. - I'm calling.

McCloud: It's a matter of life and death.

We gotta move him over here, doc.

Look, marshal, we have a security section.

Mr. Rucker will be perfectly safe here.

But there's someone else I think you should be concerned about.

- Who's that? Not Mr. Johnson? - Mrs. Johnson.

Now you apparently told her what happened.

Well, I had no choice. What's she done?

She came in here, forced her way in to see her husband.

Now she's gone off to find that, uh,

that, uh, Murkerman woman, uh, what? Something.

Murchison? Does she know where to look?

Well, apparently, Mr. Johnson had a-- a choice.

Either her apartment or his hotel.

He had the address. Here, I got it.

I already know it. How much of a head start she got?

Oh, about five minutes, but, marshal, she's got a gun.

Hey, Rizzo.

- Just the man I'm looking for. - I'm not here.

- Officially, I mean. - It's an emergency.

Hey, I got hung up with a phone call.

I'd be out of the building.

Well, I'm going out of the building.

You take the subway, don't you?

- Yeah? - Well, I'll give you a lift.

- Any harm in that? - Don't know.

Aren't you on a strike?

Rizzo, I don't even belong to the department.

How can I be on strike?

Then there really can't be any harm

in my riding with you.

- There you go. - Where?

This way.

Yeah, he's right here.

It's Wilder.

Give me some good news.

I can get Hefferman, but I'm gonna need some help.

How many men you want?

[sighs] Right now, headquarters is almost deserted.

Some sort of walkout.

But in two hours, they're gonna have

all sorts of backup forces here

and Hefferman's gonna be making a statement

to the city attorney.

You gotta stop that.

How much has he told them already?

Well, he hasn't told them where you dumped Scarlotti.

I figure he's waiting to make sure of his deal.

It's his only trump card.

You're telling me we've got inside of two hours

to get in there and blast Hefferman?

Yeah, that's what I'm telling ya.

I'm gonna need every piece

of heavy artillery you've got.

How do I get them some kind of plan?

We don't have time for finesse.

We shoot our way in, we shoot our way out.

You'll have your men. Where do you want them?

Right, okay.

And one more thing.

Send somebody down to the hospital.

There's a cop on his way to get Rucker out.

They know he was in on the hit tonight.

I'll take care of it.

We gotta call a few favors that are owed to us.

Uh, how much help you think we need? Uh...

Lots. I think you'd better run the show.

Me?

What's gonna happen in this next hour

is gonna make St. Valentine's Day

seem like a church picnic in Central Park.

And we don't have any choice.

Look, Mr. Constantine, I, uh,

I don't wanna get involved personally.

I mean, it's a police station--

I said no choice!

[dramatic music]

Now, the less people that know

what we had to do tonight, the better.

Pick your closest friends.

You're gonna have to trust them a long time.

Yeah, well, [chuckles]

I guess we all got our dues to pay, huh?

Yeah.

Pearson: This is really quite a treat for me.

A home-cooked meal.

You're quite a chef.

B.B.: I entertain a lot.

Well, I-- I travel a lot,

so that puts me in a position to...

appreciate hospitality.

B.B.: A lot of my gentlemen callers travel.

Listen, I hope you're not going to any more trouble,

because, uh, [scoffs] this was, uh, just great.

I'm just getting comfortable.

I'm glad you suggested, uh,

that we come here, uh, to talk.

Because I-- I was starved

and the, uh, squad room is not exactly a place for, uh, candor.

In fact, I haven't been able to get to the bottom

of anything since...

[instrumental music]

uh, since I've been here.

Drink?

Please.

Scotch?

Two fingers.

[dramatic music]

Thank you.

Are you, uh, warm enough?

Yeah.

Are you?

Oh, yes, yes.

You know, uh...

you are, uh, very lovely.

But I came here to talk

and I wouldn't wanna take advantage of the situation.

What you mean is...

you do wanna take advantage.

You're just figuring out the risks and the odds.

Afterwards, you'll find a way to pretend

it never happened...

that I didn't exist at all.

No, no, no.

No, no, I-- I'm not that way at all.

I, uh...

I care very deeply about, uh...

people.

[dramatic music]

Very... deeply.

You know, McCloud, I gotta go straight home, no stops.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

Then why are we heading in the wrong direction?

I gotta make one stop.

[dramatic music]

[gun cocks]

Pearson: Oh, gee.

I don't know...

[scoffs] I-- I don't know what's come over me.

Ah.

One little...

glass of...

scotch.

I know I've been pushing myself lately, but...

this is ridiculous.

[humming]

In all of nature,

the male is the more beautiful of the species.

The rainbowed plumage of the peacock.

The magnificent maned lion.

Only in man is the male

a dreary, dull, colorless, unimaginative,

deceitful, treacherous little worm.

[sprays]

Hey, McCloud, just what is the nature of this one stop?

Just wanna pay a little visit to some ladies.

Ladies?

Are they attractive ladies?

Well, one of them is a real knockout.

[spraying]

[doorbell buzzes]

Who is it?

Mrs. Johnson: Mrs. Alpert from down the hall.

I'm really not dressed, Mrs. Alpert. Have we met?

Mrs. Johnson: No, and I'm very sorry to disturb you,

but no one else on the floor is here

and I desperately need water.

Apparently, mine's been turned off.

I brought a pot.

Just a minute, I'll get a robe.

[dramatic music]

Are you B.B. Murchison?

Where's your pot?

- Are you B.B. Murchison? - No, I'm her roommate.

I-- I don't seem to remember seeing you around the building.

No, B.B., you haven't.

I said I'm not B.B. She's my roommate.

There's no other name mentioned on the mailbox.

I see you've been doing your nails.

Nice shade of blue.

What do you want?

[gasps] Oh.

[gasps]

Get out of here!

Hey, you want bread, you got it.

How much? A thousand? Two?

This is for Benny and that poor creep in there.

[gunshots]

- Hold it. Police! - Get out of here, McCloud!

- Stop her! She's nuts! McCloud: Mrs. Johnson, put...

[gunshots]

[grunting]

- One more second-- - Get her, Rizzo!

McCloud, I'm... [grunts]

That's gonna cost you.

Do you know what that woman did to Benny

and this poor man over here?

Don't shoot.

If she's married, I didn't lay a finger...

Uh... Oh!

- You got a Mr. Rucker here? - Uh, yes, officer.

He's in the Special Security Section.

- Well, I'm the reinforcements. - Uh, please follow me.

[dramatic music]

McCloud: Look at this snow.

It will be morning before we can get three blocks.

I don't wanna hear about it. I'm not here, McCloud.

- You're just dropping me off. - Just after my next stop.

He's quite safe here. The security door

at the end of the corridor keeps everyone out.

Yeah, he's probably some kind of big wheel.

They don't wanna take chances.

- You know, what's funny? - What is?

I thought I heard on the news that, uh,

all you guys had gone out on strike.

Oh, yes, except for a few of us at the union

excused for emergency duty.

Oh, I'm glad to hear you aren't scabbing.

We're going out next week, too, you know.

Congratulations, that's wonderful.

The City of New York may be broke,

but they aren't gonna push us around.

[dramatic music]

McCloud, I can't do this.

Rizzo, get on back to the prisoners.

McCloud, I'm on strike.

Anyway, they're handcuffed to the car.

Are you telling me that you are no longer a member

of this department on official duty?

Yeah, that's right. I am temporarily

a private citizen with no rights to carry a gun,

guard prisoners or anything.

- Well, that's good. - Huh, it is?

Yeah, of course, now as a marshal

from the state of New Mexico,

I can officially deputize you for emergency duty.

Now go on back out there with the ladies.

Wait a minute. I'm a marshal from the state of New Mexico?

I've got a sick man on my hands, Rizzo.

There's nothing in the strike bulletin that covers this.

Rizzo, if you think that it's cold here in New York,

wait till you give the jail in Albuquerque a shot.

Now get on back out there

before I bring you up on charges.

If I get in trouble, McCloud,

you may have to support me

for the rest of your life. I'll be yours

with pension and fringe benefits!

[dramatic music]

Oh, my God. Not another one.

Nurse, get a couple of orderlies to prepare him.

No one would talk to me. She was the only one.

Am I going to die?

The doctor here has had a great deal of experience

with this new social disease.

No, you're not gonna die.

Just might be a little embarrassing

for you in Washington.

I wonder if there's any way an auditor can invoke

presidential privilege.

In here.

[muffled gunshot]

I think he's gonna be alright.

By the way, I'm glad you decided

to change your mind about moving Rucker out of here.

He really wasn't well enough to be moved.

What do you mean, changed my mind?

Well, the officer you sent decided

to stand guard here instead.

- What officer? - That wasn't necessary.

[intense music]

Hold it!

[gunshot] Take it easy!

Next one's gonna cut you in two.

He's the one you let in the prisoner ward?

Get over here. Put your hands on the counter.

Come on there. Spread your legs. Spread them.

Alright, uh, listen, what do you say

we talk a little business, huh?

What'd you do? Come down here to get him out or kill him, huh?

I could save you guys a lot of lives.

- Yeah, mostly yours. - No, cops.

Lots of cops. It's gonna be a slaughter.

When? Where? What are you talking about?

Uh, first, let's make a deal.

You know, you're lucky that I'm from out of town

because the New York City Police Department

doesn't allow their officers to fire warning shots.

I'd just as soon leave you here to prove that

I didn't violate the law.

Alright, alright.

But you don't have enough men to stop them.

[cocks gun] When?

- In about 25 minutes. - Where?

Police headquarters.

- Detectives Squad. Grover. - Where's the chief?

Downstairs in the lobby waiting for the city attorney.

I gotta talk to him, fast.

Sorry, McCloud.

Chief's going right up to the cell block from there.

They wanna get that deposition as fast as they can.

Well, you're not gonna get anything if you don't get

every available man to guard the place.

Grover: McCloud, I've been trying to scrounge around

for half dozen men for the last hour and I can't do it.

The precincts are short.

McCloud: Grover, you gotta break off all the men you can.

Take some of the troops guarding Hefferman

and meet me in the lobby.

No chance, McCloud.

- Now what's going on? - An invasion.

- Chief, I've gotta talk to you. - Not now.

- I've got to take Hefferman's-- - It's about Hefferman.

McCloud just called in. They're going to try to hit him.

Oh, come on.

Nobody'd be that brazen. For all they know,

we've got a couple hundred men around here.

They know exactly how many men we have

down to the detail in the cell block.

Then there has to be a leak.

But the few people left here, I'd stake my career on...

Wait a minute, that-- that kid from the 14th.

Clifford: The sub. - On duty in the lobby.

That's it. That's how they plan to get in.

Gladys, will you take Mr. Shaw to the cell block?

And for once, maybe I'm glad

there's a McCloud watching over this city.

[dramatic music]

He was here a few minutes ago when I met the city attorney.

Wilder!

Wilder!

Well, he's our man. Pass the word to place him under arrest,

and consider him armed and dangerous.

I'll get upstairs and try to hurry up that deposition.

Meanwhile, you take over the lobby and get on that phone.

Get every man possible over here

even if you have to strip the city.

But the city's come to a screeching halt, chief.

Maybe in an hour I could get a few guys,

but McCloud said we had only 10, 15 minutes.

Grover, it doesn't matter. We have nothing to lose.

I'll get every man possible down here from the cell block.

Hello, get me dispatch.

Wait, don't put me on hold!

Hold it! [gunshots]

You aright, Grover?

Grover: Yeah, McCloud.

Come on, Rizzo, let's get them through there.

Bring them on. Let's go!

Hey! Hey, McCloud.

I'm not even here. I'm on my way home!

Rizzo, will you take them upstairs and lock them up?

- I can't! - I'll handle them.

New breed policemen.

The people are right. The city's finished.

Be careful with that one. He's with the mob.

They gonna be coming through here any minute now.

How many men you got?

The chief is sending down as many as he can spare.

We gotta find some way to defend this place.

According to him, there are gonna be two or three carloads

comin' in here armed to the teeth.

They're expecting to be let in by our friend on the floor.

That should give us an edge.

Well, we gotta have more than that.

Well, go ahead, take them upstairs and come on down.

- Come on. - Move.

Rizzo, I want you to stand guard here.

I'm gonna try and scare up some firepower.

Uh, you got a gun?

McCloud, I'm a civilian.

Alright, a special deputy marshal.

You got a lousy department. You didn't give me any gun.

There's no way I can be of any help

so I'll just be on my way.

McCloud, I can't.

You mean that?

You'd just stand by and let your fella officers

get gunned down... ten to one?

- Good man, Rizzo. - Yeah, yeah.

Well, hurry back, will ya?

I got a mother who worries about me

when I come home with bullet holes in me!

[dramatic music]

[gun cocks]

Hey, you're supposed to be on strike.

- Where's McCloud? - Hey, I'm just passing through.

But now that you guys are here, I'll be on my way.

Hey, fellas, give me a hand.

- What is that? - Found them in the basement.

Lightweight machine oil for the emergency generators, I suspect.

- Let's get them open. - What for?

Grover, find the switch that turns the lights out.

McCloud, what are you gonna do with all that oil?

Well, you mix it with a little water

and we could give them a big surprise.

We'll just spill it out all over the-- the lobby here.

McCloud, you'll ruin the floor. The chief will kill us.

Well, the chief will be dead if we don't stop them here.

There's nobody left between us and the cell blocks.

Let's go.

It always seems to make sense. Let's go.

McCloud: Come on, Rizzo, give them a hand!

Ah, I give up. I didn't wanna be on strike, anyway.

It became obvious

that Scarlotti was gonna try to rally the membership

against the president elect

on the basis of the graft

the president elect had been involved in

while treasurer of the union.

[gate opens]

Hey, chief, can I talk you a minute? It's important.

Keep right on. You're doing fine.

I got an idea I wanna talk over with you.

What's happening?

- Make it fast. - You getting any federal help?

Well, they're supposed to be here within the hour.

It could still be too late.

Has Hefferman given you everything you need?

Well, he's promised to give us everything

up to what we really wanna know

about his boss's murder and what they've done with the body.

That we get once he's safely out of here

and certain that he's gonna be safe.

If the federal marshals get here in time,

I think maybe that I got a way out.

If they don't, we won't have anything to worry about.

We'll be just as dead as Hefferman.

Let's hear your idea.

[dramatic music]

This is it.

Pull in that construction zone next door.

This time of night, gotta be a lot

of water pressure behind this thing.

You stay with the valve, Joe.

When I say now, turn it on full blast.

Rizzo, help with the nozzle.

Will you stop saying my name?

I don't want anybody to know I'm here.

[dramatic music]

[softly] Watch the floor. They got some kind of wax on it.

[whispers] It's an army.

Police! Drop your weapons and put--

[gunshots] Now!

[gunshots]

[water splashing]

Get them!

[gunshots]

Joe, come over here. Give me a hand.

Take it.

I'm gonna see if I can get some help.

Take them to the detention cell in the squad room.

- Use the stairway. - I demand my rights.

- What is this all about? - Trying to save your lives.

Okay, what about me?

Shut up. You aren't worth saving.

Chief, they're coming through. We can't stop them.

You stay here and try to hold them off Hefferman.

I'll round up everybody I can in the squad room.

There's nobody left in the squad room.

Chief, we need you here. Chief!

[indistinct chatter]

[dramatic music]

[gunshot]

Man 4: Kill everyone in the cell block.

Don't leave any witnesses.

Get under the bunk. Quick.

[gunshots]

[grunts]

On your feet, both of you.

Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute.

Don't shoot. Don't shoot. Don't shoot.

I didn't talk. I didn't talk.

[gunshots]

They're dead. Let's go.

[intense music]

Look out, chief. [gunshots]

Both's had it, chief.

Looks like this one got it too.

Clifford: Looks like all the gunmen are dead.

Broadhurst, come over here.

- Chief. - They got McCloud.

- What about him? - Hefferman's dead.

What about the city attorney?

Still breathing faintly, but he's still alive.

You better get an ambulance, Joe.

Hang in there, Mark, ambulance is on the way.

Here, let me put a blanket under your head.

It's alright, it's-- it's alright.

I don't believe this. Right under our noses.

[dramatic music]

Guess he wasn't dead after all.

Man 5: Cheney left here like a man on fire.

- You alright, Hank? - I'm fine.

I hope you're okay, cowboy.

That was one hell of a plan you came up with.

Yeah, I'm fine. You know, playin' possum

is just basic police procedure back home.

I just hope that there was enough

confusion that he'd believed this.

I believed it. It scared the hell out of me.

These gentlemen that agreed to pretend to shoot up the place

are federal officers.

You're in their hands from now on.

Oh.

[sighs]

Let me tell you,

that was the worst thing I ever saw in my life.

Bodies everywhere

flying dead on the floor like cockroaches.

What are you guys, Boy Scouts? You've never seen a hit before?

Oh, no, you don't know unless you were there.

I don't know what they hit us with.

There must have been 50 of them with-- with rifles

and shotguns and firehoses.

[sneezes] Only two of us got out of there.

The rest of them-- the rest of them

are either dead or under arrest.

But they got Hefferman.

I was there when they checked the body.

He was dead. Dead.

This time I'm positive.

Who got him?

I don't know. I was under the bunk.

I mean, lead was flying everywhere.

Then more cops came in and nailed the guys

who hit Hefferman.

I didn't stop to see who.

Alright, so it was rough, but we won.

We made it. We're gonna be alright.

Cheer up, you two. Let's break out the brandy.

You're heroes.

Even if no one but me will ever know about it.

[laughs]

- Ah, hmm. Constantine: Come on. [laughs]

[instrumental music]

He said it will cost about $27,000

to replace the floor and the damaged marble on the walls.

It doesn't include all the plate glass.

Well, what do you think, Mr. Pearson?

Twenty s...

Certainly sounds reasonable... to me.

Tell them to go ahead. The federal government

thinks it's reasonable.

Pete, can I talk to you... in private?

You, too, McCloud.

Uh, before you go, I'll be heading back

to Washington this evening.

Uh, will you be needing my testimony in the, uh...

Murchison case?

McCloud?

No, Mr. Pearson, we won't be needing it.

We're gonna get all the testimony we need

from Mr. Johnson.

You see, he's gonna swap his testimony

for Mrs. Johnson.

[chuckles] Well...

Well, well, you... gentlemen are remarkable.

Allow me to, uh, praise you in the highest quarters.

Goodbye and thank you, marshal.

- Very much. - You betcha.

What did you guys do to him?

I've never seen such a change in attitude.

Well, Mr. Pearson is used to

seeing things in the highest quarters.

McCloud gave him a chance to see things

in the lowest quarters.

I'm not quite sure what you aren't telling me,

but I'm too happy to press.

Hefferman is satisfied he's going to be safe.

He's spilling the rest of the story to the feds right now.

You're going to be able to arrest the whole bunch

soon as we have the indictment.

It should be quite a feather.

Give the feather to McCloud.

Matter of fact, I'd say we owe him a whole war bonnet.

- Something wrong? - Well, nothing, nothing.

I just, uh...

Kind of waiting for the roof to fall in, that's all.

You ruined the floor, not the roof.

Can I buy you and the commissioner a drink?

Eleven o'clock in the morning?

Well, you've been to bed yet?

- No. - You?

- No. - Well, let's be wicked.

Every now and then, I like to get it out of my system.

[theme music]